Association Between Mobile Phone Usage and Neck Pain in Medical Students of Islamabad Pakistan: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Neck pain has become a common issue among today's students, affecting their studies and daily activities. Prolonged use of laptops and cell phones, leading to incorrect head and cervical spine posture, is considered a major contributing factor. This study aimed to determine the frequency of neck pain among medical students who use these devices and identify the specific areas of discomfort and the duration of device usage that causes pain. Additionally, the study aimed to identify risk factors associated with symptoms during device use, particularly in sitting postures, and explore the occurrence of neck and shoulder problems along with potential risk factors. Methodology: The study involved an observational cross-sectional design conducted on a population of medical students. A self-administered, closed-ended questionnaire was used to collect data. The questionnaire focused on variables such as duration of device usage, positions adopted while using the devices, affected areas of discomfort, and the impact of smartphone use on sleep. Convenience sampling was employed to select participants, and statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS software, presenting the results in the form of graphs and tables. Results: A total of 500 students participated in the study. The findings revealed that 76% of the students experienced neck, shoulder, or hand pain. Among them, 39.5% reported symptoms appearing after 3-4 hours of device use, while 56% experienced discomfort lasting less than 30 minutes. Furthermore, 65.5% stated that their discomfort did not interfere with their sleep, and 59.5% reported recurring neck pain. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that neck discomfort is a prevalent issue among college students, with risk factors such as poor posture and inadequate body ergonomics. Managing these risk factors through posture adjustment and avoiding behaviors that exacerbate neck pain can help alleviate the issue.